Gingerbread Cookie Cutouts are a festive and flavorful treat that brings the warmth and spice of the holiday season to life. These classic cookies, infused with a blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, are perfect for cutting into fun shapes and decorating with colorful icing. The dough is easy to work with, making it an enjoyable activity for both kids and adults. Whether you’re creating gingerbread men, stars, or snowflakes, these cookies are sure to add a touch of holiday cheer to your kitchen. Enjoy them with a glass of milk or a cup of hot cocoa for a cozy and delicious experience.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decorating:
- Royal icing or your favorite frosting
- Assorted sprinkles, candies, and colored sugars
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two portions, flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
- Roll Out the Dough:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly firm to the touch.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate:
- Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate them with royal icing, frosting, and assorted sprinkles or candies as desired.
Enjoy your Gingerbread Cookie Cutouts, a festive and fun treat perfect for holiday celebrations and creating sweet memories with loved ones!
